School of Music

Bachelor of Music

This degree is designed for students committed to the achievement of excellence in the field of performance. Students pursue this program in one of the following performance areas: percussion, piano, string instruments, voice or wind instruments. This degree program also includes extensive study in music literature, pedagogical techniques, and theory. Students are assigned a staff accompanist at no extra fee.

Note: For students who have a strong interest in composition but are majoring in another area, the School of Music offers the Concentration in Composition. Completion of the Concentration will be noted on the student’s transcript. Course requirements (6 credits minimum): Composition (1.5 credits minimum): Introduction to Music Composition 111 (.5 credit) and Free Composition 307 (.5 credit per semester, can be repeated for credit). Fundamentals of Conducting 227 (.5 credit). Orchestration 309 (1 credit). Tonal Counterpoint 301 or Advanced Analysis 302 (1 credit). Electroacoustic Music 313 (1 credit). History of Musical Style VI: Post-World-War II to the Present 358 (1 credit).

A minimum of 35 course units of credit are required for completion of the Bachelor of Music degree. The basic requirements are further specified as follows:

Major in Composition

This degree places strong emphasis on private composition study as well as on other areas of critical importance to composers: applied instrumental and vocal instruction, music history, theory, conducting, and music technology/computer music. This program is aimed at developing young composers' aesthetic sensitivities, practical skills and inner ears in ways that will make it possible for them to create music of significance and meaning.

Major in Classical Guitar Performance

The School of Music announces its new degree program in Classical Guitar Performance. This program, which will begin in the fall of 2013, is designed for students committed to the achievement of excellence in the field of performance, and also includes extensive studies in music literature, pedagogical techniques, and theory. Also, those students whose principal instrument is guitar and who wish to pursue the degree in composition can now audition on guitar. Instruction on classical guitar will also be available as a secondary instrument to students who are pursuing other degree programs; this would be particularly appealing to music education students.

All students pursuing the Bachelor of Music degree in Performance must present both junior and senior recitals of acceptable quality for completion of the applied music requirements for the respective levels. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Music degree with a major in composition shall present a public recital of original work during the senior year.